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Myomucosal vertical Z-plasty should be considered to correct whistle deformity

Myomucosal vertical Z-plasty tissue transposition corrected whistle deformity as a result of cleft lip repair in three patients.

The vertical limb of the Z-plasty extends from the peak of the whistle deformity toward the nasal spine. As increasing the angles of the Z-plasty limbs increases the vertical length, the length of the vertical central limb can be tailored to fit specific dimensions of the deformity.

The vertical incision is made through the mucosa and submucosa. The muscle is then elevated using intraoral incisions and readjusted at midline with transposition flaps.

Of the three patients, two had prior bilateral cleft lip repair and one had prior unilateral lip repair. The whistle deformity was corrected in all cases. In neutral resting position, the lips were in full contact with no deformed peak.

The patients did not experience any perioperative or postoperative complications.

The researchers concluded that myomucosal vertical Z-plasty should be added to the cleft surgeon’s arsenal. - by Abigail Sutton

Disclosures: The researchers reported no relevant financial disclosures.